Our Speed Camera Guide
gives information on the different types of speed cameras and speed trap
devices currently being used throughout the UK by Police. Use the summaries
below to select more in depth information relating to a specific speed detecting
device.

Traffic Master
Often mistaken for a form of speed camera, the Traffic Master system takes
the form of blue camera like devices... more

ANPR Mobile
Often mistaken for a mobile speed camera van and in the main seen on bridges and are incorporated into many police cars now as a standard feature.... more

WatchmanA rear facing device which combines 2 cameras within it, one for speed monitoring and one for ANPR ( Auto numberplate recognition ) and not very common in the UK. It is similar to the Gatso but.... more

SpeedcurbSpeedcurb cameras are again not very common in the UK Speedcurb speed cameras are often used to monitor traffic light offences as well as speeding offences... more

SpeedSpike NEW
Currently being tested on UK roads ( A374 in Cornwall for example ) these new hi tech devices communicte with each other via satellite and encompass Numberplate Recognition .... more

Gatso Meter Speed Cameras
By far the most popular choice for police forces and local authorities
across the UK. The Gatsometer BV company which originates from the Netherlands,
was founded in 1959 by Maurice Gastonides, a famous rally driver and
winner of the Monte Carlo Rally in 1953.

The Gatso speed camera uses radar
technology (radar type 24), the equipment can be used in a stationary
position, in a car, in a trailer on a tripod or from a moving vehicle.
Fixed installation post (F.I.P) Gatso speed cameras are rear facing
as they use a 'flash' to capture the image required for prosecution,
which would distract a driver if forward facing.

The images are stored on a standard 35mm 'wet film', which needs to
be changed and processed. With each film reel only having the ability
to take 400 pictures before needing to be changed, cameras in busy places
or where speeding offences occur more often can only last a few hours
before needing to change the film.

Some Gatso's can also tell the difference between a car and HGV, so
if for instance the limit was 60 mph for cars and for HGV's it was 40
mph, if HGV's pass the threshold of approx 45-50mph the camera would
be triggered.

Gatso speed cameras need to calibrated and only record traffic in one
lane at a time. Some Police authorities have placed cameras which can
be turned around to face different traffic flows from one week to the
next.

The RLC system is triggered by sensors
or ground loops that are cut into road surface as a vehicle passes over
them, while a red light is shown. Look out for them in the road, just ahead of the white stop line at Traffic Lights. Simply rolling over the induction loop in the road can trigger the camera so no creeping forward while the light is on stop.

The Red Light Camera was originally used to measure red light offences.
Nowadays the RLC can also be used in combination with speed measurement,
similar to that of a Gatso Meter rear facing speed camera (radar type
24 technology) and can therefore also record the speed of the offending
motorist as well. So you could end with a speeding offence as well
as a traffic light offence, if you go through a red light camera!

Truvelo Speed CamerasThe forward facing Truvelo camera system is designed to take
photographs of the front of a passing vehicle. This allows the picture
taken to show the driver of the vehicle as well. In countries such as
Switzerland, Germany and the Scandinavian countries driver recognition
is a required factor to enable a successful prosecution of a speed or
red light offence.

A single front photograph, taken just after the vehicle has crossed the
piezo sensors used for speed measurement, includes all the secondary check
information required.

To avoid the 'flash' which is given out by a rear facing Gatso camera
the Truvelo system uses an infra red flash which produces no visible 'flash'
to the approaching driver.
Pictured above; a forward facing Truvelo speed camera, sometimes referred
to as a 'pink eye'.

These are becoming increasingly more used, especially with recent cases
where the registered owner of a vehicle has disputed that he/she was not
driving the vehicle at the time of the speeding offence. This system offers
evidence as to the identity of the driver at the time of the offence.

Rubber strips
in the road calculate your speed as you pass over them via the small
telltale grey post which sits along side. The DS2 system requires a
mobile camera usually in a van to plug into this grey post inorder to
photograph you. They cant calculate your speed without the van plugging
the camera in the post so watch for it nearby. Difficult to spot if
you are not using a GPS Speed Camera Warning System. Cant capture your
speed unless the van with camera is plugged into the grey post. Sometimes
the strips in the road are only on one side of the road.

PEEK Traffic Speed CamerasPeek Traffic B.V., founded in 1990
and based in the Netherlands. Manufacture a range of speed detecting cameras,
using either loops within the roads surface or radar. The most popular
in the UK is similar in design to a rear facing Gasto using a normal double-flash.
PEEK Traffic cameras within the United Kingdom are in minority use compared
with the Gasto Meter.

SPECS SystemSpeed Violation Detection Deterrent, SVDD is the digital brain which
the SPECS system is based upon, it uses state of the art video system
with Automatic Number Plate Reading (ANPR) digital technology. Consisting
of two video cameras each fitted with infra red illuminators, giving the
ability to work 24hrs 7days a week.

SPECS are fitted either at the roadside or central reservation a set distance
apart to create a speed controlled zone, or where appropriate, groups
of cameras can be linked to create a speed controlled network. Mounted
to a single or doubled armed distinctive blue SPECS column, they are linked
together via computer.

As vehicles pass between the entry and exit camera points their number
plates are digitally recorded, whether speeding or not. Then, by ANPR
recognition, the images on the video of matching number plates are paired
up, and because each image carries a date and time stamp, the computer
can then work out your average speed between the cameras, and then will
make a decision if the preset speed threshold is triggered. This data
is then digitally stored on a central computer, so that there is no need
for film to be collected and changed at the cameras site.

Pictured
above; a SPECS system sited on one side of the road, used to enforce
speed in both directions.

There were rumours last year on the internet that the SPECS system was flawed and could be fooled by simply changing lanes but as of today this is unproven.

TSS SystemThe Autovision 3 (AV3) or Speedmaster DS3, manufactured
by Traffic Safety Systems Ltd. This system uses less visible
physical infrastructure than a Gatso, Truvelo or SPECS system, the speed
detection equipment relies on three piezo
sensors installed
in the road surface and then terminated
to a vandal-protected heavy duty roadside post. The camera teams then visit
such sites frequently but on an unpredictable and random pattern.

A camera is plugged
into the roadside sensor set-up to allow offenders to be recorded. Speed
camera signing reinforces such sites. This system is generally best
for tackling longer lengths of road.

Mobile & Handheld DevicesPolice Constabularies across the country use a variety
of mobile and hand devices to catch speeding motorists. These systems
include; Mini-Gatso, TSS system (see above) and Teletraffic (laser guns).
Mini-Gatso, the technology used in a Mini-Gatso unit is very similar
to that used within a fixed position Gatso speed camera, using radar
type 24 (see above). Teletraffic, police camera teams use this as a
vehicle based system which can be set up to detect speeding traffic
from a distance of 1000 metres using laser technology. The device is
aimed on a vehicle number plate and which is then recorded on video
film with the associated speed. This system is generally best for tackling
lengths of road, and may be used outside of signed locations.

Most counties across the UK have a 'Speeding Campaign' of some form.
Many Police Constabularies and
local authorities have routes where they regularly patrol and carry
out speed checks. Areas of N Wales for instance in North Wales has a campaign
called 'Arrive
Alive', the campaign is fairly high profile.

Alternative Techniques The Police can also sometimes use alternative techniques where mobile cameras are concirned, from using Helicopters which track mainly Speeding Motorcycles from the air, to laser gun operators hiding in Horse Boxes ( shown left in N Wales ) to speed cameras in wheelie bins and even unmarked vehicles which can follow a speeding vehicle for a measured distance to record on video for evidence to be used in a later prosecution.

Traffic MasterOften mistaken for a form of speed camera,
the Traffic Master system takes the form of blue camera like devices normally
either situated on a blue pole by the road side or fixed to a bridge across
all lanes of traffic.

The purpose of the Traffic Master system is to feed traffic information
back to the control centre to highlight slow moving traffic (i.e. traffic
jams), and then to relay this information to its customers via various
multimedia products. visit http://www.trafficmaster.co.uk/ for more information.

ANPR ( Auto Number Plate Recognition )
ANPR devices work by scanning vehicle registrations and checking them against information stored in databases including the Police National Computer and the DVLA, to identify vehicles of interest to the police, such as stolen cars or those involved in crimes. When a suspicious vehicle is recognised it can be the focus of targeted interception and enquires. They do not monitor vehicle speed and normally work in conjunction with several police cars ahead of the camera who will pull in offending vehicles...more

Watchman speed cameras are rear facing devices which combine 2 cameras within it, one for speed monitoring and one for ANPR ( Auto numberplate recognition ) and not very common in the UK.

It is similar to the Gatso and uses radar tecnlology to detect speeding motorists. Unlike the Gatso though a Watchman camera calculates your speed as you approach as it has "rear facing eyes" so just slowing through the normal "Gatso Style Zone" wont save you as you. The data is stored digitally and transmitted wire free.

Speedcurb cameras are again not very common in the UK Speedcurb speed cameras are often used to monitor traffic light offences as well as speeding offences. They are rear facing cameras and like both DS2 and Truvelo speed cameras, they use piezo sensors embedded in the road
or magnetic stripes.

Fixed Speedcurb speed cameras are rear facing and do flash when active. They have started to appear on Motorway Roadwork Temporary speed restrictions as they are much cheaper to install than SPECS and able to store many more photographs than a conventional GATSO.

SpeedSpike(new)Currently in test on certain roads in the UK, these new type of cameras communicate with each other via the GPS Satellite Network and can track a vehicle using Numerplate Recognition (ANPR) to check if it has broken the speed limit during the journey, be it short or long.

Known as SpeedSpike, the system uses similar methods of recognition as the cameras which enforce the congestion charge in London, and allow two cameras to 'talk' to each other if a vehicle appears to have travelled too far in too short a space of time. The system is much cheaper to install than the existing SPECS cameras so if the test goes well they could become popular on UK roads....more